Multi power source power supply

Title: Multi power source power supply.Abstract: A multiple power-source housing adapted to prevent simultaneous removal of more than a single power source, such as a battery, at a time. In an example embodiment, the power-source housing is used to house batteries for an intra-aortic balloon pump, which use battery power during transport. The power-source housing holds a first and second power source. When the first power source is removed, a mechanism, such as a knob, prevents simultaneous removal of the second power source or removal of the second power source until the first power source is replaced. Similarly, when the second power source is removed the mechanism prevents simultaneous removal of the first power source or removal of the first power source until the second power source is replaced. ...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a battery housing. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery housing for a medical device such as an intra-aortic balloon pump.

2. Description of Related Art

Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs) are used to provide pneumatic assistance to a failing or weakened heart. Often this therapy must be sustained as patients are transported within or between medical facilities.

When an IABP is in a stationary mode, it is typically powered by the medical facility's AC power. The IABP incorporates an internal back-up battery used to provide power during transport or in case of AC power loss. Typically, the battery is integrated into an internal battery compartment and is not readily accessible for replacement while the IABP is in operation. Therefore, if the battery is allowed to discharge, the IABP becomes unusable for patient transport and must be connected to an AC power source for recharging, some times for several hours.

IABPs typically use lead acid battery technology. This type of battery is heavy, bulky, and requires fasteners to connect to the terminals. Due to the heavy weight of a lead-acid battery, heavy brackets are required to secure it within the IABP. Further, lead-acid batteries have a finite number of charge/discharge cycles after which they are no longer capable of retaining a charge.

Replacement of a battery of this type is also labor intensive. Replacement typically requires a technician to disassemble a portion of the IABP so as to disconnect the battery compartment and remove it from the IABP. The battery compartment must then be partially disassembled before the battery can be removed. The technician then reverses this process to install the new battery. During this time, the IABP is out of service.

Battery technology has made significant advances over the past years. As a result, new batteries weigh less, take less physical space, and have higher power density ratings than their predecessors. A need exists for a medical unit such as an IABP with an improved, safer, and more easily replaceable battery.

SUMMARY

A medical device, such as an intra-aortic balloon pump, according to an example embodiment of the present invention includes a pump, a lock element, a power-source housing, and a control unit adapted to control the pump. An interior of the power-source housing including a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part is configured to hold a first power source. The second housing part is configured to hold a second power source. The first housing part includes a first opening large enough for the first power source to pass through. The second housing part includes a second opening large enough for the second power source to pass through. The power-source housing is accessible such that the first power source and the second power source can be replaced without dismantling the intra-aortic balloon pump. The power-source housing is configured such that when the first power source is being removed from the first housing part the lock element prevents simultaneous removal of the second power source from the second housing part and when the second power source is being removed from the second housing part the lock element prevents simultaneous removal of the first power source from the first housing part.

According to an example embodiment, the first power source is capable of being replaced while the second power source is powering the intra-aortic balloon pump and the second power source is capable of being replaced while the first power source is powering the intra-aortic balloon pump.

According to an example embodiment, each of the first and second power sources are independently capable of providing sufficient power to run the intra-aortic balloon pump for a predetermined period of time.

According to an example embodiment, at least one of the first power source and the second power source is a battery.

According to an example embodiment, at least one of the first power source and the second power source is an AC power supply or a DC power supply.

According to an example embodiment, the first power source is a battery and the second power source is an AC power supply or a DC power supply. Further, the first power source and the second power source may have similar physical dimensions.

According to an example embodiment, the lock element includes a mechanism positioned between the first and second openings. The mechanism is movable between (i) a first position at least partially blocking the first opening but not the second opening, (ii) a second position at least partially blocking the first opening and the second opening, and (iii) a third position at least partially blocking the second opening but not the first opening.

According to an example embodiment, the lock element includes a solenoid configured to move a rod forward such that a forward end of the rod passes into a recess in the lock element to fix movement of the lock element.

According to an example embodiment, the power-source housing is configured to facilitate removal of the first power source. When the first housing part is transitioned from a locked state to an unlocked state, via the lock element, the first power source is shifted forward in the power-source housing a predetermined distance by one or more mechanisms in the power-source housing.

According to an example embodiment, the one or more mechanisms in the power-source housing are spring-based.

According to an example embodiment, the power-source housing is configured to facilitate removal of the second power source. When the second housing part is transitioned from a locked state to an unlocked state, via the lock element, the second power source is shifted forward in the power-source housing a predetermined distance by the one or more mechanisms in the power-source housing.

According to an example embodiment, the mechanism includes a first rod. The first rod is configured such that placing the first power source in the first housing part to a sufficient depth within the power-source housing shifts the first rod rearward away from the first opening against the force of a first spring-based element. Subsequent removal of the first battery causes the first rod to move forward such that a forward end of the first rod passes into a recess in the lock element while in the third position.

According to an example embodiment, the mechanism further includes a second rod. The second rod is configured such that placing the second power source in the second housing part to a sufficient depth within the housing shifts the second rod rearward away from the second opening against the force of a second spring-based element. Subsequent removal of the second battery causes the second rod to move forward such that a forward end of the second rod passes into a recess in the lock element while in the first position.

According to an example embodiment, the mechanism further includes a first solenoid and a second solenoid. The lock element contains a first partial recess groove, configured to engage a first rod controlled by the first solenoid, and a second partial recess groove, configured to engage a second rod controlled by the second solenoid. The first partial recess groove when engaged by the first rod both allows motion between the first position and the second position and restricts motion from the second position to the third position. The second partial groove when engaged by the second rod both allows motions between the second position and the third position and restricts motion from the second position to the first position.

A container according to an example embodiment of the present invention includes a housing and a lock element. The housing defines a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part is configured to hold a first power source. The second housing part is configured to hold a second power source. The first housing part includes a first opening large enough for the first power source to pass through. The second housing part includes a second opening large enough for the second power source to pass through. The container is configured such that when the first power source is being removed from the first housing part, the lock element prevents simultaneous removal of the second power source from the second housing part and when the second power source is being removed from the second housing part, the lock element prevents simultaneous removal of the first power source from the first housing part.

According to an example embodiment, the container is configured to facilitate removal of the first power source. When the first housing part is transitioned from a locked state to an unlocked state, via the lock element, the first power source is shifted forward in the housing a predetermined distance by one or more mechanisms in the housing.

According to an example embodiment, the container is configured to facilitate removal of the second power source. When the second housing part is transitioned from a locked state to an unlocked state, via the lock element, the second power source is shifted forward in the housing a predetermined distance by the one or more mechanisms in the housing.

According to an example embodiment, the lock element includes a mechanism positioned between the first and second housing parts. The mechanism includes a knob configured to be moved to (i) a first position at least partially blocking the first opening but not the second opening, (ii) a second position at least partially blocking the first opening and the second opening, and (iii) a third position at least partially blocking the second opening but not the first opening.

According to an example embodiment, movement of the knob from the first position to either the second or third position is achieved through rotation of the knob.

A device according to an example embodiment of the present invention includes a power source, a lock element, and a power-source housing. An interior of the power-source housing includes a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part is configured to hold a first power source. The second housing part is configured to hold a second power source. The first housing part includes a first opening large enough for the first power source to pass through. The second part includes a second opening large enough for the second power source to pass through. The power-source housing is configured such that when the first power source is being removed from the first housing part the lock element prevents simultaneous removal of the second power source from the second housing part and when the second power source is being removed from the second housing part the lock element prevents simultaneous removal of the first power source from the first housing part.

The present invention is not limited to medical equipment. In an example embodiment, the device is a piece of machinery, such as drill, or an electric car, or a computer, or a mobile phone, or any other device that would benefit from an uninterrupted power supply.

A method, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, involves loading and replacing one more batteries in an intra-aortic balloon pump. The intra-aortic balloon pump including a housing containing at least a first and second battery. The method includes (i) inserting the first battery into a first battery compartment in the housing, (ii) inserting the second battery into a second battery compartment in the housing, (iii) positioning a knob, rotatably connected to the housing, at least partially in front of the second battery but not the first battery, and (iv) removing the first battery, the knob locking the second battery in the second battery compartment until the first battery is replaced and the knob repositioned.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first battery automatically being partially forced out of the first battery compartment as a result of the knob positioning.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second battery is used to fully operate the intra-aortic balloon pump after the first battery is removed from the housing.

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20121018|20120265004|multi power source power supply|A multiple power-source housing adapted to prevent simultaneous removal of more than a single power source, such as a battery, at a time. In an example embodiment, the power-source housing is used to house batteries for an intra-aortic balloon pump, which use battery power during transport. The power-source housing holds |